Assistant Director, Group Vendor & Contract Management

About the role

The Assistant Director, Group Vendor & Contract Management (GVCM) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Surgical and Non-Clinical & Corporate groupings, covering the full contract lifecycle from planning and sourcing through mobilisation, performance management, review and renewal. The role drives standardisation, collaboration, commercial optimisation and continuous improvement, working closely with clinical, corporate and other stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Contract planning and strategy: lead contract planning, identify demand aggregation and standardisation opportunities, monitor market and supplier trends, and advise senior management on commercial matters.
• Procurement and sourcing: oversee procurement, set sourcing strategies, tender approaches and evaluation methods, define specifications and criteria, and ensure governance and compliance.
• Contract management and performance: oversee contract management, drive supplier performance and cost containment, and ensure timely reviews, renewals, extensions, variations and exits.
• Stakeholder and supplier management: build relationships with clinical, corporate and operational stakeholders and maintain supplier relationships with appropriate governance.
• Surgical grouping: lead procurement and contract management for surgical requirements, balancing clinical needs and patient safety with commercial considerations, and promote standardisation of products and suppliers.
• Non-clinical and corporate grouping: cover non-clinical equipment and services, consolidate demand and work with specialist Group functions on intersecting categories.
• Team leadership: lead, develop and motivate staff and build category and contract management capabilities.
• Transformation: drive continuous improvement, digitalisation and automation, and support GVCM frameworks, policies and standards.

Required profile

• Degree in procurement, supply chain management, business, finance or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in procurement, contract management, strategic sourcing and/or vendor management, preferably in healthcare, public sector or a large institutional environment.
• Experience managing complex, high-value procurement and contractual portfolios.
• Experience leading teams and influencing senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries.